Community rallies behind family after fire destroys home

Adam Davies
Brisbane Newsdesk Reporter
I was born in New South Wales and was educated at Sydney's prestigious Scots College.
I have worked both in Australia and United Kingdom for some of the largest newspaper in the two respective countries.
I joined APN as a senior reporter at The Chronicle in Toowoomba in 2010.
The following year I was named APN's Daily Reporter of the Year for my coverage of the 2011 Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley flood disaster.
I currently work at the APN Newsdesk in Brisbane where I cover state politics...

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ADAM and Tamara Stiller have been overwhelmed at the generosity shown by the Toowoomba community after fire destroyed their Rangeville home.

The couple, along with their five children, escaped the inferno two weeks ago with their lives but were left destitute as a result.

Mrs Stiller said the support shown by the community towards their family was simply amazing.

"A couple, who we do not really know all that well, offered our family the use of their Glenvale home for as long as we need until we find permanent accommodation," Mrs Stiller said.

"What makes it even more amazing was the couple actually moved into a caravan so we could use their house.

"They left us fresh flowers, a pantry full of food and some clothes and toys for the children," she said.

The Stiller family (from left) Aria, 7, Mercedes, 10, Tamara, Paris, 12, and Elijah, 9, with three-year-old Josiah (front) are amazed at the support shown by the Toowoomba community. Their father, Adam Stiller, is absent.Nev Madsen

Mrs Stiller said the family had never expected the level of support from people who have gone above and beyond to assist them during a time of need.

"Our friends set up a Facebook page. People have been so generous and it really has made us more acutely aware of how wonderful people are," she said.

"While the fire itself was dramatic, it was really nothing compared to the generosity shown towards us.

"We had people contact us from Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast offering to help out.

"Only this week we received a card in the mail from a lady who put $25 in it for us."

Mrs Stiller said the family has watched stunned at how the community had rallied behind them.

"Supa IGA at High St donated trolleys of food and groceries to us from shoppers who had paid for the products out of their own pockets," she said.

"Even the messages of support have been amazing.

"It really has been an amazing thing to watch."

Mrs Stiller said the experience was something she would never forget.

"Even though we hear a lot of bad news on a daily basis, this experience has shown me people actually do care," she said.

"Being plugged into a community is so important and precious.

"It really has opened my eyes to how much good there is in the world."

The couple is in the process of looking for rental accommodation in a bid to start rebuilding.